Cook tells PM of possibility of manufacturing Apple products in India

Tim Cook on Saturday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the possibility of manufacturing and retailing of Apple products in India and mentioned about the immense potential of application development that exists in the country.

NEW DELHI: Apple CEO Tim Cook on Saturday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the possibility of manufacturing and retailing of Apple products in India and mentioned about the immense potential of application development that exists in the country.

"Cook shared Apple Inc.’s future plans for India. He spoke of the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing in India. He appreciated the breadth of young talent in India, and said the youth have significant skills which Apple would like to tap. He mentioned the immense potential for app-development that exists in the country. He also elaborated on the Map Development Centre that Apple Inc. is setting up in Hyderabad. He appreciated the Prime Minister’s initiatives in ease of doing business," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement soon after the PM met Cook at 7, RCR.

Cook started off the meeting by congratulating Modi on the recent election results and spoke of his visit to various parts of India in the last few days and the warm welcome he had received. "The Prime Minister, appreciating Cook, said that in India, ‘seeing is believing’ and added that these experiences would definitely steer Cook’s business decisions," a PMO statement said. The PM sought Apple's co-operation and support in the Digital India initiative. "The PM explained his Digital India initiative, and identified three key objectives of Digital India as e-education, health and increasing farmers’ incomes. He sought support from Apple in furthering these objectives," the PMO said.

Issues regarding cyber-security and data encryption also came up for discussion with the PM encouraging Cook to help the global community to cope with the challenges of cyber-crime. Cook in turn appreciated Modi's initiatives for renewable energy, mentioning how Apple runs on 93% renewable energy and plans to move Apple’s entire supply chain to renewable energy. "Delegation members accompanying Cook also spoke of their experiences in Rajasthan, where several villages have recently been electrified, and women are being skilled to assemble and operate solar energy equipment. Both Cook and PM shared some unique stories of entrepreneurship that they had come across in app-development and renewable energy," as per a statement.

Cook also launched an updated version of the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App' during a meeting with Prime Minister. A new and first of its kind volunteering network is the highlight of the updated version and the application contains a new feature 'My Network' that empowers citizens to contribute towards making a positive difference in society. This section will consist of thoughtful forums where App users can share your ideas, views and deliberate with a wide range of people. Several daily tasks would also be put in this section at a very regular basis, as per a statement put out by the PMO. This feature, the statement said, was in sync with the PM's vision of participative governance and harnessing the exemplary strengths and skills of 125 crore Indians.

"The Prime Minister thanked Tim Cook for this kind gesture. He added that he has found the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App' a very lively and enriching forum for ideas and thoughts from the people. He added that through the App he has been able to connect with so many people, across India and the world and keep abreast with their views. He urged people, particularly youngsters to download the App so that they can stay connected," the statement said. The 'Narendra Modi Mobile App' is the one stop place for latest news relating to the PM and attractive infographics outlining the work of the NDA government can be found on the App. Users can also hear the Prime Minister's speeches, all the episodes of 'Mann Ki Baat' and can write to the Prime Minister. This App is a part of the larger importance Narendra Modi has given to technology, both in his personal and governmental sphere, a statement said. "He is an active presence on social media platforms and has inspired forums like MyGov to be formed to make governance more people centric," the statement said.

Jio’s Rs 2,399 annual plan offers 2GB per day data that costs effectively Rs 200 per month. It also offers unlimited voice and SMS. Airtel and Vodafone Idea’s Rs 2398 and Rs 2399 annual plans, on the other hand, offer 1.5GB per day data along with unlimited voice and SMS